Marion, IL???

[tlw]

That entire southern Illinois area has a very high water table. Recall driving through water in Marion, but don't know if it is any worse than any other of the towns around there. Carbondale city installed an above ground pump station in a problem neighborhood on the west side of the city that sounded like a waterfall after a rain.

Was in houses with water problems in their basements that were $50,000 homes, and also ones that were $300,000. Heliatech does a good business in the area as I knew of a number of people who had it done.

[dcisive]

Wow ya'll are bringing back some memories. I attended SIU back in what I'd consider it's hey days (early 70's). Lot's of good memories of Mary Lou's for breakfast and the all you could eat family style dinners at the Giant City Lodge. Oh if I only knew how it would grow, could have invested in some nice land down that way. Oh well........

[ShortPerson49]

Instead of Marion, I suggest Carbondale. Marion is about 17,000 people, but Carbondale is about 27,000 and almost 50,000 with the students from Southern Illinois University. As far as restaurants go, the diversity of Carbondale provides it with many international restaurants. And as far as schools, Carbondale Community High School has been ranked with the top high schools in Illinois. Also, as far as things to do, there are many outdoor activities.

[ShortPerson49]

Instead of Marion, I recommend Carbondale. It is about 30,000 people (50,000 with students), opposed to Marion's 17,000. While Marion is growing by leaps and bounds, Carbondale is as well. The population in 2000 was 20,000 people; it is now 27,000. Also, I have a family member who works in the medical area, and she said that the Marion VA is falling apart. Treatment there is supposed to be horrible. For instance, a woman having surgery at the Marion VA not too long ago burned to death because of something catching on fire.
P.S. St. Louis is about 2 hours, not 4 hours.